It was later revealed that Peevey took part in a meeting in March 2013 with an Edison executive in a luxury hotel in Warsaw, Poland, where financial figures were written and discussed regarding a framework to assign costs related to a settlement to close the plant.

Peevey on Friday objected to any description of the meeting as one done in secret.

The proposal is expected to go before the CPUC later this year when the five current commissioners will vote whether or not to accept it.

When asked if the CPUC on his watch did things correctly in regards to the original settlement on SONGS, Peevey said:

“Yeah. Look, here’s the complication for me. I mean, it was my last month there … What I'm trying to get across to you is that there wasn't any deal made.”

Documents show while in Warsaw, Peevey called for the University of California system to receive $25 million in research funding to study climate change as part of the original settlement. Under the new proposal, the research funding has been cut in half and completely excludes the UC system.

“I wasn't in a position to make any deal,” Peevey said. “How can I make a decision for a deal? There's five commissioners. You guys overlook these kind of fundamental things in government.”

But, as president, didn’t he have some influence?

“I had a month to go,” Peevey said with an exasperated laugh. “You know what happens? I'm serious. Your ability to deliver goes down like that,” taking his left hand and pointing it downward.

So he was a lame duck?

“Yeah, like I said, I was out. I wanted to retire. Three weeks ago I turned 80. I was 76 (at the time). I was ready to hang it up. Sixty-five was the normal retirement age but I stayed another term.”

And for those who say the CPUC has had a too-cozy relationship with the utilities it oversees?

“I don't think that's true,” Peevey said. “I don't think there is any regulatory capture. I think the utilities and the commission have to work together to achieve state goals that are set by the Legislature and the governor and others, including the PUC itself.

“But there's no capture. What there is is a recognition that you can't achieve the (state’s) climate goals … without the support of the utilities. We enact, and they adopt.”

In September 2014, then-California Attorney General Kamala Harris opened an investigation into the CPUC following a gas line explosion in San Bruno that killed eight people. As first reported by the Union-Tribune, during a search of Peevey’s home, notes were found regarding the meeting in Warsaw.

The book traces the steps California has taken to become a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“I looked around and I didn’t see any book on the topic so I thought if anybody could write this with firsthand knowledge, it’s myself. so I started,” said Peevey, who earlier in his career was president at Southern California Edison and later founded a startup in the electricity business.

“Californians are more driven, more interested in the environment and clean air,” he said.

Peevey talked about the book for about a half-hour Friday at a meeting hosted by the Western Power Trading Forum, an organization based in Sacramento whose 90 members in the West buy and sell power.

Peevey was warmly received by attendees at the conference. All 30 of the books Peevey brought to the meeting were snapped up for $15 each.